[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 658 Engrossed in House (EH)]


H. Res. 658

                 In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

                                                           May 2, 2006.
Whereas the global celebration of World Water Day is an initiative that grew out 
        of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in 
        Rio de Janeiro;
Whereas the United States General Assembly, via resolution, designated March 22 
        of each year as World Water Day;
Whereas although water resources are renewable, differences in availability of 
        water resources exist due to variations in seasonal and annual 
        precipitation in different parts of the world;
Whereas although water is the most widely occurring substance on earth, only 
        2.53 percent of all water is freshwater and the remainder is salt water;
Whereas freshwater resources are further reduced by various forms of industrial, 
        chemical, human, and agricultural pollution;
Whereas the drainage of wetlands for agriculture and the dissipation of water 
        sources by land clearance lead to further exacerbation of water 
        scarcity;
Whereas, according to the United Nations, by the middle of this century, at 
        worst, seven billion people in 60 countries will be water-scarce;
Whereas the poor are the most affected by water scarcity, with 50 percent of the 
        populations of developing countries exposed to polluted water sources;
Whereas water-related diseases are among the most common causes of illness and 
        death, afflicting primarily the poor in developing countries;
Whereas the estimated mortality rate due to diseases transmitted by water and 
        sanitation is five million people per year;
Whereas initiatives that promote access to safe drinking water and sanitation 
        that prevents contaminants from infiltrating fresh drinking water 
        supplies are vital tools in raising the awareness of the importance of 
        freshwater to the quality of life; and
Whereas freshwater is vital to the development, sustainability, and progression 
        of all humanity: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of World Water Day;
            (2) recognizes the importance of conserving and managing water 
        resources for sustainable development, including environmental integrity 
        and the eradication of poverty and hunger, and human health and overall 
        quality of life in the United States and across the globe; and
            (3) encourages the people of the United States to observe World 
        Water Day with appropriate recognition, ceremonies, activities, and 
        programs to demonstrate the importance of water and water conservation 
        to humanity.



            Attest:

                                                                 Clerk.